Eastern Railroad Discussion > TORNADO IN DESHLER -- HAZMAT DERAILMENT

SKYWARN Net reporting derailment @ Route 65 near Deshler, a tanker of sodium hydroxide involved, Henry County EMA reporting -- tornadoes have ripped through the area and are currently southwest of Toledo.

Several reported tornadoes in the area over the past few hours. We fortunately missed the blunt of the storm, but we didn't go without some torrential rain and wind. Lots of localized flooding in the area as well.

Hartford City, Indiana was hit (NS New Castle District and PRR/CR/NS Redkey Branch) 1 house, 10 mobil homes destoyed, Marsh supermarket damaged, motel also damaged, power still out in most areas. Wasnt' a pleasant afternoon. No warning was giving for the tornado, no siren, nothing. Just a Thunderstorm watch. That makes 2 tornadoes in Hartford City within the past 2 months (last one being Sept 20th)

Haz mat was not involved in derail, it was just ahead of the overturned cars. I was at the scene with EMA and Henry co. Red Cross to lend any assistance. Being a HAM has its advantages. This was one nasty storm, but we here in Henry co. were very lucky. Van Wert Oh. had an F4 tornado touchdown. NW Ohio had at least 10 confirmed tornados and at least 2 unconfirmed. I followed this same storm that hit this train but saw no funnel, but the clouds came all the way to the ground so there is no way of knowing what is in those. I am a trained storm spotter and I tracked this thing for about 15 miles. Clean up of the derail is in progress. I can see the high intensity lights from my house.

Well, my significant others first big railfanning trip was a wild one. She got to experience DERF & CWC at Deshler, learn what CPL's, Furbies, and Rent-A-Wrecks are, see the UP Olympic 2002 roll by, endure a tornado warning with accompanying storms, see a train derailed, and to top it off, watch a guy wipe out at 70mph on I-75 and roll his car into a flooded median. Think she'll want to go again? :-)